2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country

Instead of turning a CUV into a coupe-style sedan like everybody else is doing (I'm looking at you, BMW X4), Volvo decided to take the Subaru Outback route (Subaroute?) and turn their sedan into a CUV. They've accomplished that by taking the highly competent S60 and lifting it up, creating the all-new for 2016 S60 Cross Country. There's more than just a Subaru Forester or Jeep Renegade Trailhawk-rivaling 20 cm of ground clearance though. The S60 Cross Country also gets all-wheel drive, front and rear skidplates, and, of course, black fender extensions. The point of all this is to hit the reason that most people want a CUV, but without all of the sacrifices. Consumer research shows that all people want is to sit a little higher for visibility and for ease of entry. This hits that without all the extra weight and size of a CUV.

The Cross Country isn't intended to traverse the Rubicon trail, or to take on an expedition through the Darien Gap. What it's designed to do is to make the dirt road to the cottage a little more comfortable, and to not get stuck in the snow. Much like the Audi A4 Allroad. It will do both of those just fine, and add a decent dollop of luxury to top off the safety Volvo has built their name on.

The S60 Cross Country comes in just one trim, T5 AWD starting at $49,950, and is very well equipped. T5 means a 2.5L inline five-cylinder making 250 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Beside that is a six-speed automatic and Volvo's all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Underneath are 18-inch wheels. There are adaptive bi-xenon headlights, automatic lights, high beams, and wipers. The Cross Country has power folding mirrors as well.

Inside, the seats are leather all the way around, with heat and eight-way power adjustment for driver and passenger. An optional climate package heats the rear seats, the windshield, and the steering wheel. There is a power glass sunroof for when it warms up. The stereo is a 13-speaker Harman Kardon system running through a 7.0-inch touchsreen with navigation (and two free map updates).

As normal for Volvo, there is a very extensive list of active safety features available in the Technology package. This includes Volvo's City Safe system, which works to prevent collisions at speeds under 50 km/h, Driver Alert which warns you if you're tired, Collision Warning which will completely stop the car if it feels you weren't going to, lane departure warnings, radar cruise, and a feature that will read road signs and show them on the dash. Blind spot warnings and park assist are in a separate Blind Spot Information System package.

The S60 Cross Country is rated at 11.8 L/100 km city and 8.6 highway.